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ABS-equipped vehicles: Deadly quiet
Anti-lock braking systems have come under some mild scrutiny as of late. Frank Williams, a frequent contributor to The Truth About Cars, recently wrote an article detailing the inherent problems with ABS in passenger vehicles, saying that overall they may do more harm than good and that NHTSA should look into its own findings to address the matter.
The amount of feedback this piece received was tremendous, as evidenced by the amount of discussion that took place in the comments section.
Then, on Friday, this article came across our screens that brought to light another fact about ABS. The tire screeching, aural blitzkrieg that takes place in a panic stop is noticeably absent in ABS-equipped vehicles. It's not dead silence, but it certainly isn't as evocative as the mentally engrained noise that screams, "Look out, bad $#%& is about to ensue!"
A solution to this problem came from the mind of Larry Bunker, who, after a close call with a co-worker, began developing a system that would restore the sound that is lost to ABS technology. Bunker, who didn't go into detail about how the system would work, aims to reduce the number of vehicle/pedestrian crashes that take place yearly by selling his creation to major auto manufacturers.
Personally, we want the system to play "The End" by the Doors if some kid runs into the street, but we're open to other suggestions. Additionally, we want to know what your opinions about ABS are and, considering the information presented, if either argument is legitimate.
[Sources: The Truth About Cars and The Auto Channel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kamil 7:14PM (8/19/2006)
"silent"?
Definitely not silent; maybe it does not ensue as much “OMG teh death is here WTF!!1!??” factor but it’s still “wicked” loud.
This is just dumb... right along there with making the CVT tranmission act like a regular gear automatic transmission... and the VOIP companies adding "white noise" to their phones likes to simulte regular phone line.
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Kamil 7:16PM (8/19/2006)
Oh yea... and another dumb one for The Truth About Cars... should be called "Idiots Talking Cuz They Think Someone Gives a Poop".
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Aram 7:20PM (8/19/2006)
If they think ABS system is too "silent" and causes safety problems, then what's their solution for hybrid or purely electric cars that don't make "normal" engine sound??? attach speakers so they can cause noise pollution?
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Bob_Ericson 7:25PM (8/19/2006)
I kindda think the who thing is a non starter. Usually, it's screeeechBAAAM! The screetching sound is just enough time for the quickest to look up and see the actual accident occur.
Although once, hearing the screeching tires of a bulldozer (on wheels) screeching towards me gave me just enough time to pop the clutch and move out of it's way.
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thefatman 8:00PM (8/19/2006)
#3 the technology is already on the market.
http://www.vroombox.com/
But I think you will more than likely find on 95 Civics or 92 Dodge Shadows.
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Jason 8:16PM (8/19/2006)
Maybe Kamil can link us to his obviously much better and more intelligent editorials.
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Kamil 8:49PM (8/19/2006)
I will, once I start writing them.
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iQuack 8:54PM (8/19/2006)
That awful problem of not hearing screeching tires in a panic stop is something that only an idle brain could think is important.
So connect the horn to the braking system and be done with it!
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Shadyman 9:04PM (8/19/2006)
I don't know, ABS emergency stops still leave one heck of a skid mark, though it's a stutt-tt-ttered skid mark.
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fubb 9:05PM (8/19/2006)
Breaking news: The world is flat after all!
Those guys are &%$#@!% MORONS!!!!
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Jaymez 10:09PM (8/19/2006)
Anyone who relies on ABS as a safety device doesn't belong on the road.
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drstrangegun 10:15PM (8/19/2006)
Umm... wouldn't this be as simple as wiring a $0.15 relay in to the ABS ACTIVE line and shunting that to, say, the horn?
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cowboy bob 11:08PM (8/19/2006)
I removed the fuse to the anti-lock system on my car and my truck. The dash light is covered with a piece of black electrical tape. Removal of the fuse de-activates the system and allows wheel lock-up, and the ability to "pump" for yourself if you so desire. At inspection time, the fuse is replaced until out of the shop, when it again goes into the glove box. I have heard of many problems with these systems, and have been driving without them for 42 years. Beyond the issues of their use, there are many reported failures of these systems. GM has a re-call right now, or at least a TSB out for their ABS equipped trucks. I don't miss it, and like to control my vehicle in any situation myself, thank you very much. I have had many instances over the years where I had emergency braking situations, and even without ABS, lived to tell the tale.
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epp_b 11:08PM (8/19/2006)
["Anyone who relies on ABS as a safety device doesn't belong on the road."]
Finally, someone who actually knows that ABS is pure crap. ABS is a buzzword for naive people who actually believe that it's a safety feature. It's even worse in slippery/snowy conditions, and most people assume the opposite. The fact is, ABS makes your stopping distance *longer* while giving your steering a little more control while braking. But, as a driver, you don't always need or want that control while braking -- sometimes you just need to stop in a hurry! And when you *do* need that control without ABS, pumping the brakes or loosening your pressure on the pedal will work better than any ABS system ever could; because the balance between control and stopping power is managed by the driver, not a computer. ABS is just another feature for drivers who shouldn't be driving (if you catch my drift). In other words, if you can't drive without ABS, you shouldn't be driving. Period.
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sith33 11:48PM (8/19/2006)
Hrm. Those of you who say "I'm such a good driver, I turned my ABS off" ... the point of ABS is to kick in once you've locked the wheels. If you're a good driver doing threshold braking, you never lock the wheels, so the ABS never kicks in. The situations in which a skilled driver with conventional brakes can outbrake an ABS equipped car are extremely rare (dry pavement of the exact right sort, etc), whereas in almost every other case the ABS equipped car will win every time.
To Cowboy Bob - disabling your ABS manually is especially dangerous. In vehicles where ABS is optional (are there any anymore?) they generally have a separate brake setup depending on the option you chose. ABS systems tend to have beefier rear brakes than conventional braking for example. By pulling the fuse, you're just disabling a few solenoids and likely leaving yourself with *far* less effective brakes.
ABS is not a miracle fix for bad driving, but it's certainly an improvement in technology.
Look at it this way - When F1 allowed ABS brakes, teams used them, because they were extremely effective. They were banned because they made good braking too easy. In something as competitive as F1, do you really think teams would have fitted ABS to cars if it didn't genuinely improve performance?
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Keith 11:50PM (8/19/2006)
Retarded. ABS buys you a few seconds, if that, right before an accident or the like. Not enough time for anything.
The few panic stops/slows I have made have been instant reactions that were personal (something I did for myself so I did not have an incident), it would not make any difference if other knew it or not.
If anything, those strobing panic stop brake lights would be cool, especially on the freeway when some tard is doing 85 and there are stopped cars 1000 feet ahead.
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Chris 12:04AM (8/20/2006)
By the time a targetted pedestrian hears the screeching and comprehends what is happening, they are usually the pedestrian in tow. This is just a dumb idea.
ABS when combined with the proper sensors provides the nice stability control systems we have today. Those same stability systems have saved more lives to date than any stupid noise maker ever will.
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J 12:07AM (8/20/2006)
Does anyone remember that Motorweek episode where they showed the stopping distances of ABS. vs ABS disabled on the vehicle. It proved that ABS had superior stopping power.
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BOB 12:25AM (8/20/2006)
I AM TRYING TO THINK WHY ANYONE MAKING A PANIC STOP WOULD NOT KNOW TO JUMP HEAVILY ON THE HORN-- WHICH I HAVE DONE FRO DECADES, SO THE GUY BEHIND ME WILL WAKE UP AND NOT CREAM MY CAR?????????????????
MAYBE I THINK TOO MUCH, AS A DRIVER.
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BOB 12:26AM (8/20/2006)
COME TO THINK OF IT, IF I AM GOING TO BE JAMMIN' INTO YOUR REAR END AT HIGH SPEED, MAYBE I SHOULD PLAY SOMETHIN' MORE ROMANTIC.
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